Module 8

2.

After WWII led capitalists to avoid any return to the conditions from the Depression-era. Thanks to the Bretton Woods Conference rules were negotiated for the commercial and financial dealings among the major capitalist countries. This promoted a stable currency for the US dollar, promoted free trade, and high levels of capitalist investment. Adding on that new things were making it cheaper to transport goods which resulted in global capitalism. 

3.

It linked the world’s peoples because it accelerated the circulation of goods and skyrocketed world trading. There were some things that I saw as negatives such as exploiting people like “foreign direct investment” which took advantage of these developing countries in way of cheap labor and bad environmental regulations. This also made people from these developing countries move out to Europe and North America to escape poverty. A lot of new things were created like personal funds being transferred from international credit cards to go to national borders. 

15.

First, environmentalism in developing countries was more locally based and had fewer large national organizations. Also in these developing countries, the poor people were more involved than members of the middle class. This caused a movement because of social justice in these developing countries. Environmental activists in these countries confronted foreign mining companies from exploiting their resources. The main concern was issues of food security, health, and basic survival in these developing countries.   

Module 7- Essay

Christopher Hernandez

World History

Patricia Andrews

April 16, 2020

Module 7

As stated by the CDC, “A pandemic is a global outbreak of disease. Pandemics happen when a new virus emerges to infect people and can spread between people sustainably. Because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the new virus, it spreads worldwide.” A few weeks ago, March 11, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 pandemic, a disease caused by the new coronavirus (Sars-Cov-2). Since then, the term has not left the news. Outbreaks, on the other hand, occur when there is a sudden increase in the number of cases of the disease in a specific region. There is also a disease that is classified as endemic when it happens very often only in a specific location - not reaching other communities. A Pandemic is the worst because on a severity scale, it’s the most delicate case.

According to the CDC’s definition, a disease needs to impact the entire globe to be considered a pandemic, but I don’t think that a disease needs to impact every corner of the world to be considered a pandemic. I think this because any population affected by a rapidly spreading disease should be considered a pandemic because it’s still affecting a population. Smallpox killing native Americans after in contact with European conquerors is an example of a pandemic to me. 

There have been cases throughout history where there have been similar pandemics and outbreaks. Some occurred in 1792-1889. As discussed in module 5 a pandemic that I chose to focus on was the Great Plague Of London (1665-1666). This regional pandemic took place in Great Britain and started in April 1665. It spread pretty rapidly in the summer with an overall total of 75,000 deaths which is 15% of Great Britain’s population. This began because plague-infected rodents carrying fleas. The reason for it spreading so rapidly was because of the hot weather and because of how small fleas are. From this plague came more precautions from the people and more safety rules to help prevent another incident. 

Another incident was the Flu Pandemic of 1918. Between 1918 and 1920 an outbreak of influenza tore across the globe making it a pandemic. Over a third of the world’s population were affected and ending around 35 million peoples lives. What made this worse than other influenza outbreaks was the way it affected not just the young and old but even healthy adults. Even some children and others whose immune systems were weaker were still alive.

This pandemic has affected everyone worldwide and has put a strain on people and families around the globe. Many people have been affected and many people have passed away. By doing this social distancing and quarantine techniques we are slowing down the spread of COVID-19 while doctors and scientists work to find a vaccine. There are many people that aren’t following the rules and making this pandemic spread even more.  

This all happened so quick and no one was prepared for it. I think the working class is taking it especially hard and it’s affecting our economy. Many businesses have closed and we are only allowed to go out for essential things like groceries or if you are one of the lucky people, you go to work. This has affected everyone, myself included because my company put the majority of its workers on furlough. I had to move all my things out of my dorm room and move back home and to top it off our school is closing which adds the stress of where to go next. 

I think the hardest part of this pandemic is schooling. For many students, including myself, online learning isn’t for us and we are more hands-on workers. It’s very hard to maintain focus in online classrooms and we are still drowned in school work all at once while trying to adjust to the new system. Many teachers are understandable and flexible right now because of this change and that helps but many are still struggling. I hope that we are allowed out soon and everyone’s days can go semi-normal once again. We all know that the recovery won’t be an easy or simple process.

Citations

“Situation Summary.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 26 Mar. 2020, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/summary.html#:~:text=A pandemic is a global, pandemic by the WHO.

Staff. “Outbreak: 10 of the Worst Pandemics in History.” MPH Online, www.mphonline.org/worst-pandemics-in-history/.

Module 6

3)
There were many international circumstances and social changes contributed to the end of the colonial empires. One major thing that affected and weakened Europe was the world wars. It hurt Europe structurally and mentally. Mentally mainly because this just extinguished their superiority complex. The complexity was all they had and now that they just have nothing to support that.  Now the new big powers, the United States and the Soviet Union strongly opposed the European colonies. The connection between the European empires completely diminished and no further progress could be made. Also in these colonies western-educated elites rose up through the colonial world and were familiar with European culture, they were fully aware of the gap between its values and its practices.

4)

During this time the leaders of the movements for independence faced many difficult situations in order to fight for independence. Many of the obstacles they faced were plotting their strategies, recruiting members, and organizing political parties. In some regions of South Africa and the Portuguese territories, the leaders also used their military operations. Anti-colonial groups did struggle over the questions of power, leadership, and strategy even though they all had a common goal. Although these internal struggles between the anti-colonists rose they still had the same goal.

6)

 During the 1920s and 1930s, Gandhi became a leader in the Indian National Congress while also a lawyer as a western-educated elite. Gandhi was active and confrontational through a nonviolent method and had strategies of resistance that supported the foundation for the Indian independence movement creating Truth Force, political nonviolent philosophy. He also imposed nationalism, but opposed a modern industrial future for India. Gandhi had a major role in turning the Indian National Congress (INC) into a mass organization he also unified people with principles of duty and morality and even created a concept of India with both Muslims and Hindus. Gandhi wanted to unify them through a peaceful method.

Module 5

There have been many great plagues in our history including the one we are currently in that have severely affected the way we live. One pandemic that I chose to focus on was the Great Plague Of London (1665-1666). This pandemic took place in Great Britain and started in April 1665. It spread pretty rapidly in the summer with an overall total of 75,000 deaths which is 15% of Great Britain’s population. One of the main causes for the spreading of this was plague-infected rodents carrying fleas. The reason for it spreading so rapidly was because of the hot weather and because of how small fleas are. From this plague came more precautions from the people and more safety rules to help prevent another incident.

Module 4

Fascism was an ideology created in Europe during this time and it sought out to take away individualism, liberalism, feminism, parliamentary democracy, and communism. This ideology also praised violence against the enemy. Austria, Hungary, and Romania’s governments all took root in this movement. Another fascist power that rose during this time period was the Nazi Party of Germany led by Adolf Hitler who use this movement as a scapegoat for the country’s desperate need of leadership and also outlawing other political parties. 

For my research, I found how different this idea is to others and how this basically tries to destroy the other forms of government. I think it’s still in the world we live in today as our current president Donald Trump has done some things that would be considered fascist. For example, he is always blaming others for his mistakes and taking a hostile standpoint in order to protect his reputation. The government also has made the tendency to have race and poverty main factors in the economy. 

Module 3

1. What accounts for the massive peasant rebellions of 19thcentury China?

 During the massive peasant rebellions of the 19th century, China was growing in population. They were unable to effectively perform many of their functions such as public security and tax collections. This also led to unemployment, impoverishment, and starvation. Peasants frequently embraced rebellion, finding leadership in charismatic figures who proclaimed a millenarian religious message. Taiping Uprising between 1850 and 1864 found its inspiration in a unique form of Christianity that also had an effect on gender roles as Hakka women who never fought now had chances to fight as soldiers.

2.  How did Western pressures stimulate change in China during the 19thcentury?

During this time in China, China was forced to continue to import opium which was part of the great opium wars. Opium started to become a serious problem in the late eighteenth century, when the British began to use opium to cover their persistent trade imbalance with China. China had to cede Hong Kong to Britain and open a number of other ports to European merchants. Western pressure weakened China at precisely the time when China required a strong government.

       11.    How did Japan’s relationship to the larger world change during its modernization process?

During this time unfair treaties were written in favor of the Japanese which lead other subjects to look at Japan as a model of their own development in their struggle against imperialism. Japan even became somewhat of a power as a competitor. Japan’s economic, political, and military structure also gave them an upper hand. 

Module 2 Chapter 18

1. In what ways did the Industrial Revolution shape the character of 19thcentury European imperialism?

With the rise of the Industrial Revolution, European powers found profit in foreign markets. This meant finding raw materials and agricultural products in other parts of the world. By selling the newly created products made from the materials of the natural resources of the other areas of the world Imperialist believed this would stop the problems in their homeland. It gave rise to many jobs to the growing population which therefore created a class fully employed and in hopes of stopping issues between the different classes.     

4. In what different ways was colonial rule established in various parts of Africa and Asia?

European nationalism was the main motivator for them justifying their involvement in other areas scouting for resources. Africa, one of the many areas taken for their natural resources, was a ground for a race to the finish of who could colonize the nations. Europeans also looked down on the various parts of Africa and Asia from their superiority complex. 

3. What contributed to changing European views of Asians and Africans in the 19thcentury?

It started with "they" were heathens and "we" were Christians but the effect of Social Darwinism was a major factor. This states human groups and races are subject to the same laws of natural selection. This along with war made aggression towards African and Asia more common as they felt they were less civilized. Many people thought it was their duty to “civilize the weak races”. 

Chapter 17, 3 Questions

1. How did the Industrial Revolution transform British society?                                                          The industrial revolution began because of the substantial increase in people. As Britain's industrial economy matured it gave rise to a lot of job opportunities for the middle class. Laboring classes also sought greater political participation which then created trade unions and developed socialist ideas that challenged capitalist ideas. 
2. What did humankind gain from the Industrial Revolution, and what did it lose?                        During the industrial revolution, there were a lot of gains especially in the output of goods and services. This is because of an enormous jump in the capacities of the societies to produce wealth. What they lost was mainly the older methods of production and the working/living conditions they were put in were terrible. It hurt the environment as well as creating bitter social and class conflicts. 
3. How did Britain's middle classes change during the 19th century? The middle-class society of Britain was made up of politicals who favored constitutional government, free trade, private property, and social reform within limits. The ideas of thrift and hard work, cleanliness, and rigid morality filled middle-class culture.  

Chapter 17

The Industrial Revolution was a major wave that changed the way we work in the western world. The Industrial Revolution began in Europe and I think it was Britain because it was one of the most popular places to trade and had many advancements for their time. In this British industrial time, we see British Aristocracy. Russia and the United States also passed through the industrial revolution. The Industrial Revolution was common throughout the world in the way that it spread new technologies and new ways of thinking.

Ch 16 Part 2 + Documents

The Atlantic revolution took place in France beginning in 1789. Three major movements that developed in this were the abolition of slavery, independence from foreign rule, and feminism. The Atlantic revolutions also gave rise to the ideas of nationalism throughout the globe. This, in turn, made the greeks and Serbs declare their independence from the Ottoman Empire. Nationalism in politics put all the work on the people.

The feminist movement that rose from the Atlantic Revolutions is important. Enlightenment thinkers began challenging the ancient traditions put in place basically stating that women's inferiority. Middle class, in particular, was growing women who began finding educational opportunities and began to find freedom from the household restrictions. Ideas also began forming about individual equal rights that men have. This feminism was greatly faced with criticism and hate by people claiming that going out affected their reproductive system. The growth of feminism raised issues that would carry more later on.

Part 5 and Chapter 16

Part 5 talks about the years 1750 and 1914 and the societies that emerged from the intersection of the Scientific, French, and Industrial Revolutions. The second half of this talks about the great power and influence these powers had on everywhere else.

Ch. 16
The Atlantic revolutions of North America, France, Haiti, and Latin America were very costly wars that strained the European imperial states. The ideas that the Atlantic revolutions took from the Enlightenment were shared also between the French and American Revolutionaries. These new ideas of equality, free trade, liberty, and religious tolerance were widely popular. This all had a global impact 

• One of these revolutions was the Haitian revolution which took place between 1775 and 1825 and shook both sides of the Atlantic. 
• Thomas Jefferson was the U.S. ambassador to France in the French revolution. 
• The french revolution, rose the question of female political equality far more than the American revolution. 

Chapter 15

• Christianity to Asians, Africans, and Native Americans. Early science, being against Christianity. These are two Cultural Standards that started spreading during the 21 century. 
• Christianity was established in the Americas and the Phillippines while Siberia, China, Japan, and India becoming Islamic.
• Christianity motivated European political and economic expansion.
• The Christain World Divided between the Roman Catholics of Western and Central Europe and the Eastern Orthodox of Eastern Europe and Russia. 
• In the early 16th Century, the Protestant Reformation shattered what could've been the unity of Roman Catholic Christianity.
• Missionaries had their greatest success in Spanish America and in the Philippines.

Chapter 14 P.2

North America fur became a super popular commodity to buy and trade. Beaver fur became hard to get as getting their fur meant hunting them and almost leading them to extinction. beaver pelt quadrupled in France between 1558 and 1611. Although the Native Americans and Europeans were working together it was very hard to keep that going because of the diseases that the Europeans brought. The Atlantic slave trade was also very harmful to the African population but it was somehow justified by the Europeans.

Chapter 14 P.1

This chapter talks a lot about European trading. Europeans traded because of the ancient spice trade of the Indian Ocean. For the Europeans, there was a lot of trading and among these objects was silver that was mined and brought wealth to Europe. The Indian Ocean had a lot of trading going through it and many products were being exchanged such as silk and cotton.

Chapter 13

In this chapter, we got information about European advantages and how they were conquering the Americas. It was also mentioned how the Columbian Exchange, the Great Dying, and the Little Ice Age. The Great Dying, for example, was about the diseases that spread due to the Columbian Exchange. This disease killed 90% of Native American people through smallpox and measles. As for the Little Ice Age, it was a period when cooling happened after the Medieval Warm Period. 

Study Questions

Founders Week: 

It’s the countries largest bible conference. 

What was the reading about: 

  Two sisters of Notre Dame in France that came from different backgrounds. Julie Billiart and Francoise’s early lives and how they met. Bother of these women came from different classes and saw hardships on both ends. They saw something and wanted to create a change regardless of their class.  

Julie or Francoise?: 

I identify with Julie more because she was more humble and giving. Also throughout my life, I witnessed a lot of hardships from my peers and family members. 

Compare educational background: 

Francoise: Had money and privilege. Everything she had was handed to her and she explored many different outlooks of her life. 

Julie: Not so privileged and came from laborers. She also didn’t have a formal education because it wasn’t necessary for her class, but she did have a religious education.

Francoise to her money and privilege: 

Although she did come from a wealthy family and was privileged compared to many others, she still wanted to change her life and help others. She stood for the equality of others regardless of their social classes.

Julie’s attitude and disability: 

She had learned to accept it and even ask help from others although that is always hard to do when you want to be independent 

Women’s opportunities: 

Not many opportunities were given to women and men usually made all the decisions. 

What these two women mean to us today:

It taught us how we can live totally different lives and still end up in similar positions. Regardless of social class, you are able to make a difference in the world and fight for the equality of others. 

Yay- I'm done!

This is my first post of many. Stay tuned.